Clarington Green Gaels
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The Clarington Green Gaels are Junior "B" box lacrosse
Box lacrosse
Box lacrosse, also known as indoor lacrosse and sometimes shortened to boxla, LAX or simply box, is an indoor version of lacrosse played mostly in North America. The game originated in Canada, where it is the most popular version of the game played in contrast to the traditional field lacrosse game...
team from Clarington, Ontario
Clarington, Ontario
Clarington is a municipality in Ontario, Canada in the Regional Municipality of Durham. It took its present name in 1994 after having been known as the Town of Newcastle from 1974-93. The name change was made to alleviate long-standing confusion between the municipality as a whole and the included...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The Gaels play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League
OLA Junior B Lacrosse League
The Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association in Ontario, Canada.-History:The Junior "B" level of the Ontario Lacrosse Association has been around since at least 1964...
.
- Oshawa Green Gaels (I) 1963 - 1983
- Oshawa Green Gaels (II) 1995 - 1996
- Clarington Green Gaels 1997 to Present
The early years
Founded in 1946 by Jim Bishop, the Green Gaels were a lacrosse team from day one in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse LeagueOLA Junior A Lacrosse League
The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship—the Minto Cup.-The teams:-Playoff Champions:...
, playing out of Toronto, Mimico, Huntsville, Oshawa, and currently Clarington. In the Gaels first seven seasons in Oshawa, they won the Minto Cup
Minto Cup
The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada...
as National Junior "A" Champions. Since the Minto Cup's inception in 1937, no team has ever won more than 4 championship in a row—other than the Gaels. The record setting team were National Champions from 1963 until 1969, a record that has never even been approached since it was set.
In the 1963 Minto Cup, the Gaels won the National title by defeating the Victoria Shamrocks
Victoria Shamrocks
The Victoria Shamrocks are a Senior A box lacrosse club, based in Victoria, British Columbia. The team competes in the 7-team Western Lacrosse Association .The Shamrocks have won the Mann Cup 8 times...
4 games to 2. In 1964, to win the Minto they defeated the New Westminster Salmonbellies
New Westminster Salmonbellies
The New Westminster Salmonbellies are a Men's Senior 'A' lacrosse team located in New Westminster, BC. Their home arena is Queen's Park Arena. They compete as part of the Western Lacrosse Association and have won the Mann Cup 24 times, most recently in 1991...
4 games to 1. In 1965, they beat New Westminster again, 4 games to 2, to win the Minto Cup. In 1966, they beat New Westminster, yet again, 4 games to 2 to win the National title. They beat New Westminster a third and fourth straight time for the title in 1967 and 1968. In 1969, the Gaels finally got to beat someone else for the Minto Cup again, facing the South Vancouver Legion and sweeping them 4 games to none. The streak was stopped dead in the 1970 season. The Lakeshore Maple Leafs defeated the Gaels 4 games to 1 in the Ontario semi-final.
The 1963-1969 teams were collectively inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2000. During this stretch, they won 220 games and seven straight Minto Cup
Minto Cup
The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada...
s. The Gaels never won another Minto Cup
Minto Cup
The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada...
, but stuck around the OLA-A until 1983 when they finally folded after 21 years in the league.
Rebirth
The Gaels applied for re-entry into the OLA in 1995 and were placed in Junior "B". Since this time, the team moved to Clarington in 1997, and have yet to have a losing season. In 1999, the Gaels even had a perfect season. However, in the end they lost in the Canadian Semi final. Remarkably though, between 1998 and 2004 the Gaels won 2 Provincial titles (2000, 2004) and 4 Founders CupFounders Cup
The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city...
s (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) as National Champions.
2000 Founders cup team
The beginning of the year 2000 was a tough one to read for any outsider. Many believed that this was a rebuilding year for the Gaels having had 12 rookies join the team. After falling short in the Founders cup tournament the year before (winning bronze over Elora) and having 2 of the top 3 point getters leaving due to being overage, many had the Gaels finishing in the bottom half of the Eastern conference.The Gaels finished the season with a 19-1 record losing their 3rd game of the year with 3 seconds left in o.t. to a formidable Nepean Knights team. From that point on the Gaels never looked back finishing undefeated heading into the playoffs.
1st Round vs Scarborough
The Gaels won 3 straight games by scores of 9-5, 13-4 and an unbelievable 12-0 leading them to play the only team to hand them a loss in the regular season the Nepean Knights.
2nd Round vs Nepean
Nepean was favored by many as the team to beat after stunning Onondaga in the first round leading them to play the Gaels. But the Gaels proved to be too skilled for the Knights as Clarington beat them 3 games straight by scores of 14-6, 8-5, and 9-5. Setting up a rematch from the year before with the defending Ontario cup champion Elora Mohawks.
3rd Round vs Elora
The rematch was set. Elora vs the Green Gaels in a matchup of 2 powerhouse teams that dominated the Jr. B loop for the past 2 seasons. Although both teams were secured to play in the Founders Cup tournament, (Clarington being the host team and Elora being the Ontario representative) they did not hold anything back playing what some have said as the best lacrosse games in years.
Game 1 was a tight affair with the Gaels pulling out a 9-8 double overtime win at home.
Game 2 was held in Elora and the Mohawks took advantage of home floor winning 9-7.
Game 3 was back in Clarington and the Gaels continued their home floor dominance winning 10-7.
Game 4 was a heated affair in Elora with both teams losing 5 players each during a brawl in which the refs threw all players on the floor off for the night in the 2nd period. The gaels were leading at that point but Elora dug deep and pulled out the 7-6 win evening up the series @ 2-2.
Game 5 was again in Clarington and the Gaels again won @ home by a score of 8-7.
Game 6 was a chance for Gaels to close out the series in Elora and that is exactly what they did winning 11-10 in overtime on Josh Colley's goal with limited time remaining, giving the Green Gaels the Ontario Cup (their first Ontario cup since reforming in 1995).
Founders Cup final game
The Gaels continued their home floor dominance winning every game of the Founders tournament and setting up a date with the I.L.A. in the final game. This game was one for the ages as the ILA dominated the first period by a score of 5-0. The fans in the building in Clarington were silent and things looked bleak, but the Gaels scored 5 goals in the second narrowing the gap to 6-5. The third period was a different story than the first as the Green Gaels held the ILA scoreless and scored 3 goals winning the game and the Founders Cup by a final score of 8-6. Giving the Green Gaels 2 Canadian championships in 3 years.
2002 Playoff Run
The 2002 was possibly the most exciting playoff run the Gaels have ever produced. Even though the Gaels finished first in their division, they were in for a rough ride as both the Barrie Tornado, and the scrappy Mimico Mountaineers waited, not to mention the 18-3 Onondaga Redhawks in the Far East Division.Round One had the Gaels face-off against the Mimico Mounties. The series was end to end, both physically and mentally exhausting. Neither team would score in double digits in the series. It took a game 5 to decide this series and the Gaels would move on.
The Barrie Tornado were the opponents in Round two. The Tornado who had upset the Gaels in 2001 were out to prove a point, while the Gaels had a measure of revenge on their mind. In the first game, the Gaels offense completely disappeared while the Barrie defence was strong in a 4-2 Tornado victory. The Gaels would win the next two games with offensive domination outscoring Barrie 28-12. The Tornado wouldn't give up though winning game 4, 6-4 to force a 5th and deciding game. In another back and forth affair, the Gaels would prevail 10-8.
This put the Gaels in the unenviable task of facing the highly touted Onondaga Redhawks. Onondaga, for financial reasons, and the hopes they could win in three straight games decided to take the first two games at home. That meant, even though the Gaels had finished second in the conference, that they would retain home floor advantage if the series went 5 games.
Needless to say Onondaga kicked the daylights out of the Gaels in the first two games by scores of 13-5, and 12-3. Many, many people thought the series would be over, including Brad Kelly of the Oshawa This Week.
With 5 days off between games, the Gaels practiced hard knowing full well, one win might get them back into the series.
Game 3 went to the Gaels in a defensive battle holding high scorers Pete Benedict, AJ, Brett, and Drew Bucktooth to only three goals, defeating the Redhawks 11-7. In game 4 of the series, it was more of the same with the Gaels holding the Redhawks down winning 8-6.
Was it mentioned that the Redhawks neglected to book lodging anywhere and had to travel to Mississauga Friday evening, and to the Dynasty Inn, in Oshawa the second night? Talk about being overconfident.
Game 5 was for all the marbles. With the Redhawks leading 5-2 late in the third, the Gaels mounted a surge. The Gaels scored 4 powerplay markers to go up 6-5. After Onondaga tied the game 6-6, it all came down to the final two possessions. With 18 seconds left, veteran Green Gael James Hinkson took a pass in front of the redhawks tender and found twine to go up 7-6. A battle for the face-off ensued with the Redhawks finally gaining possession with two seconds left. Game over, Gaels win and move onto the Ontario Finals, and more importantly, the Founders Cup.
Ontario Finals
The Gaels faced league best Spartan with the Warriors defeating the Gaels 3-0. Although the Gaels did generate some quality chances, they didn't play with the passion or energy needed. Resting some players, and getting ready for the big dance seemed more important.2002 FOUNDERS CUP
In game one the Gaels faced the New Westminster Salmonbellies. Simply put, the Gaels were dominant, to the tune of a 16-2 beating. Game 2 featured the Gaels against the Edmonton Miners. The Gaels played an excellent defensive game beating the Miners 8-5. Game three was against the Winnipeg Warhawks with the Gaels prevailing yet again 16-2.
The semis pitted the Gaels against the host Halton Hills Bulldogs. The Gaels ended up winning 7-5 in overtime against a determined Dogs team. This launched the Gaels into the final against the Spartan Warriors.
In the end of a tightly fought game, Doug Trudeau came through for the green, scoring the winner with :50 seconds remaining in the third period. The Gaels by virtue of their 7-6 victory were crowned Canadian Champs.
2004 Playoff Run
After finishing the 2004 season second in the Eastern Conference with a 14-5-1 record, the Gaels were poised to do well in the playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, the Gaels took out the Markham IronheadsMarkham Ironheads
The Markham Ironheads are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Markham, Ontario, Canada. The Ironheads play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.-History:The Ironheads are a relatively new team...
in 3 straight games. In the Quarter-finals, the Gaels faced the Mimico Mountaineers
Mimico Mountaineers
The Mimico Mountaineers are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Mimico, Ontario, Canada. The Mountaineers play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.-History:...
. The Gaels walked through them, beating them 3 games to 1. The Gaels then took on the first seed Akwesasne Lightning
Akwesasne Lightning
The Akwesasne Lightning are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Akwesasne . The Lightning play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.-History:...
in the Conference final. The Lightning finished the season 17-1-2 and were thought to have a the best chance for a Founders Cup
Founders Cup
The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city...
run. In the next three games, the Gaels beat the Lightning 10-7, 7-6, and 13-9 to sweep them and earn a birth into the League Final to face the Elora Mohawks
Elora Mohawks
The Elora Mohawks are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Elora, Ontario, Canada. The Mohawks play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.Probably founded in the 1960s, the Mohawks started out as the Fergus Thistles. In 1963, the team moved to become the Guelph Mohawks. In 1967 the team moved to...
.
The Gaels were up for a big challenge. The Western Champion Mohawks had finished the season 17-3-0 and were the hosts for the 2004 Founder Cup. The Mohawks came into the Final flying, blowing out the Gaels 16-4. In game two, the Gaels evened the score winning a close 9-8 contest. Elora came out hungry in game three, looking to crush the Gaels. That they did, smoking Clarington by a score of 12-1. It looked over for the Gaels, down 2 games to 1 in a best-of-five series and having suffered two demoralizing losses. Game four stayed close like game two, and the Gaels forced overtime. The Gaels pulled it together and scored to win and force a final game five. In the winner-take-all game, the Gaels came out flying and beat Elora 10-7 to win the Ontario Junior "B" title and earn a birth to the Founders Cup
Founders Cup
The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city...
in Elora, Ontario
Elora, Ontario
Elora is a community in the township of Centre Wellington, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada. It is well known for its 19th-century limestone architecture, its artistic community and the geographically significant Elora Gorge.-History:...
.
The Founders Cup
Founders Cup
The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city...
tournament started on August 21, 2004, and the first game for the Gaels put them up against the Moose Jaw Mustangs. The Gaels beat them 13-5. The next morning the Gaels beat the Manitoba Buffalo
Manitoba Buffalo
The Manitoba Buffalo was a Canadian rugby union team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The team played in the Rugby Canada Super League and drew most of its players from the Manitoba Rugby Union, one of fourteen Rugby Unions that have rep teams in the RCSL....
by a score of 12-2. That evening the Edmonton Warriors challenged the Gaels, but came up short as the Gaels won 11-9. The next night, to close out the round robin, the Gaels beat the all-stars from the Iroquois Lacrosse Association 11-7 to finish in first place in their pool.
On August 24, the Gaels faced the Delta Islanders from British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
for the crossover Semi-final. The Gaels crushed them 18-3. On the other side, the Elora Mohawks
Elora Mohawks
The Elora Mohawks are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Elora, Ontario, Canada. The Mohawks play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.Probably founded in the 1960s, the Mohawks started out as the Fergus Thistles. In 1963, the team moved to become the Guelph Mohawks. In 1967 the team moved to...
beat the ILA All-Stars 14-8 for the winner-take-all All-Ontario Final.
Despite the abilities of Mohawks, the Gaels came to play. The Gaels beat the host Mohawks, 11-8, to win their forth Founders Cup
Founders Cup
The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city...
in seven years.
Season-by-season results
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against| Season | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PTS | Placing | Playoffs |
| 1963 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 300 | 229 | 34 | 3rd OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1964 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 367 | 225 | 40 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1965 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 401 | 161 | 37 | Ist OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1966 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 438 | 165 | 46 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1967 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 467 | 173 | 46 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1968 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 483 | 189 | 48 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1969 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 571 | 239 | 44 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
| 1970 | 28 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 464 | 359 | 32 | 3rd OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1971 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 0 | 467 | 368 | 44 | 1st OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1972 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 349 | 364 | 22 | 5th OLA-A | Lost League Final |
| 1973 | 28 | 6 | 22 | 0 | 314 | 413 | 12 | 8th OLA-A | DNQ |
| 1974 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 383 | 389 | 24 | 4th OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1975 | 28 | 11 | 16 | 1 | 331 | 390 | 23 | 6th OLA-A | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1976 | 26 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 338 | 393 | 18 | 4th OLA-A East | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1977 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 304 | 256 | 29 | 5th OLA-A | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1978 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 508 | 402 | 40 | 3rd OLA-A East | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1979 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 597 | 373 | 46 | 1st OLA-A East | Lost League Final |
| 1980 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 431 | 228 | 30 | 2nd OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1981 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 323 | 275 | 18 | 5th OLA-A | Lost League Final |
| 1982 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 302 | 209 | 30 | 3rd OLA-A | Lost League Final |
| 1983 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 244 | 217 | 22 | 4th OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1995 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 288 | 206 | 30 | 1st OLA-B East | Lost Semi-final |
| 1996 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 267 | 202 | 32 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Semi-final |
| 1997 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 267 | 174 | 32 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Semi-final |
| 1998 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 237 | 132 | 30 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost League Final, Won Founders Cup Founders Cup The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city... |
| 1999 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 98 | 40 | 1st OLA-B East | Lost League Final |
| 2000 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 273 | 125 | 38 | 1st OLA-B East | Won League, Won Founders Cup Founders Cup The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city... |
| 2001 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 192 | 135 | 28 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost 1st Round |
| 2002 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 245 | 132 | 33 | 2nd OLA-B East | Lost League Final, Won Founders Cup Founders Cup The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city... |
| 2003 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 179 | 157 | 23 | 6th OLA-B East | Lost 1st Round |
| 2004 | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 240 | 146 | 29 | 2nd OLA-B East | Won League, Won Founders Cup Founders Cup The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city... |
| 2005 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 225 | 95 | 32 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Quarter-final |
| 2006 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 179 | 149 | 28 | 5th OLA-B East | Lost 1st Round |
| 2007 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 237 | 110 | 40 | 1st OLA-B East | Lost League Final |
| 2008 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 232 | 134 | 34 | 2nd OLA-B East | Lost Conference Semi-Final |
| 2009 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 260 | 71 | 38 | 1st OLA-B East | Won League, Lost Founders Cup Founders Cup The Founders Cup is the championship trophy of Canada's Junior "B" lacrosse leagues. The custodial duties of this trophy fall upon the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Champions are determined through a round robin format with a playdown for the final in a host city... Final |
| 2010 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 243 | 77 | 40 | 1st OLA-B East |